Our local vulture has been changing her roosting cliffs recently, having moved from the Howden area to the Woodhead area on the 26th July. She has been present in the Peak/Longendale area for a month now being first seen around the 8th July. A comfortable 20 minute walk to see the bird from the Pennine Way north from Crowden car park seemed okay as myself, Steve B and Kev C left Castleton at 6-15am on a fairly nice morning. We found out on the way that the bird had roosted on Dowstone Rocks between Shining & Stable Clough`s south of Woodhead Reservoir a slight change of plan was needed. As we passed through Crowden the car park looked very busy so we parked just off the B6105 after crossing the reservoir dam wall. The area above us was all covered with a thick mist, a strong wind was blowing and it was cold! My choice of shorts was not one of my better decisions, woolly hat, snood, gloves and 2 coats helped though. It was 6-50am and as quite a few other birders had gathered in the area we thought our chances of seeing the vulture would increase.
We waited very patiently and as the hours went by we saw: - 90+ Swift, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, 3 Buzzards (one of which was the palest form bird that any of us have ever seen) Swallows, House Martins, 14 Lapwing and various small finches. In general all battling against the wind in an easterly direction. The arrival of Kevin Hughes and Mike from Macclesfield really helped to pass away our time by the B6105 with lots of stories of past trips etc. Then as the mist left us and the sun started to show itself, at around 12-52pm approximately, news that the bird was sat on Dowstone Rocks 1.25kms to the east of us. The walk along the old railway track bed was soon completed and around 30+ birders were watching the bird through their telescopes. The vulture sat preening, stretching its wings, showing itself at all angles to the admiring crowd, it even left a bit of collectable DNA for any soul brave enough to go and collect it. Kevin and Mike joined us and were soon enjoying the bird. So what was supposed to be a quick walk to see the vulture turned into a bit of a marathon with a 6 hour wait but as ever, was it worth it, but of course it was. That`s my 3rd visit to see the Bearded Vulture/ Lammergeier and I am still fascinated by it. If you haven`t been yet please go and enjoy it!
Finally caught up with the Lammergeier in the Peak District and what a strange experience? A Vulture within 45 minutes of Rossendale? Thankfully it set up home in a national park which was full of purple splashes. When we arrived it soared in the distance over Ladd Rocks but then flew down the valley past us then back again. It soared in front of us and occasionally settling on rocks. It was mobbed by a Buzzard which appeared "small" by it. The missing central tail feathers give it a forked look - it looks like a Kite on lots of steroids!
Here are some photos of the area, the bird being photo-bombed by a Grouse, with a Buzzard and what I thought was the bird but turned out to be some one bending over ...it was very distant!
Thanks to Craggy, Craig Bell and Dave Ousey for your advice and guidance!
-- Edited by sarfraz on Monday 31st of August 2020 11:00:59 PM
-- Edited by sarfraz on Tuesday 1st of September 2020 09:37:31 PM
